Your MFC care team will monitor you during pregnancy until your care is transitioned to a prenatal care provider. This generally occurs between 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

At the conclusion of a treatment cycle (IUI, IVF, etc.) or after a spontaneous pregnancy and a positive home pregnancy test, we always check blood levels of the pregnancy hormone, beta-hCG. To ensure the pregnancy is progressing healthily, the hCG test is typically repeated once or twice more to confirm the levels are rising appropriately. Concurrently, we also monitor your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and recommend treatment, if necessary, based on these results.

As a standard protocol, we schedule the first pregnancy ultrasound around the 7th week of pregnancy. To provide ongoing reassurance and support, we encourage an additional visit and ultrasound appointment during the 9th week, and once more between the 11th and 13th weeks. After successfully navigating through the first trimester, we assist you in smoothly transitioning to second-trimester care.

Please note that while the above represents a typical early pregnancy monitoring schedule, at Markham Fertility Center, we prioritize personalized care. Therefore, your early pregnancy care plan will be customized according to your individual needs and circumstances, which may result in more frequent monitoring appointments.

Early pregnancy can be a time of mixed emotions. The joy of finally being pregnant is sometimes overshadowed by the worry and anxiety of possible pregnancy loss. This can be intensified if you have experienced prior losses. Our early pregnancy support program recognizes this and provides extra ultrasound appointments and visits to help you navigate this time. Here are some more things you can do to support your early pregnancy:

1. Balanced Diet: Pregnant women should eat a balanced and nutritious diet. They require more protein, certain types of fats ( omega 3), and vitamins such as folic acid and minerals like iron. They should also increase their intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
2. Stay Hydrated: Water plays a significant role in the development of the baby, carrying the essential nutrients to the womb. Pregnant women should aim to drink at least 8 cups of water daily.
3. Regular Exercise: Physical activity can help manage weight gain, improve mood, and build strength needed for labor and delivery. Your MFC care team can advise you if exercise is contraindicated in your situation.
4. Avoid harmful substances: Alcohol, nicotine, illicit substances, and even some over-the-counter medications can harm the baby's development. Your MFC team will provide you with a helpful guide to common first-trimester over-the-counter medications that are safe to use.
5. Get enough rest: Rest is essential during pregnancy. Pregnant women often require more sleep due to the metabolic demands of pregnancy. Listen to your body and rest when needed.
6. Prenatal Vitamins: These are supplements that contain higher doses of certain vitamins and minerals like folic acid and iron, designed specifically to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women.
7. Get Vaccinated: Some vaccines, like the flu shot and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), are generally recommended during pregnancy. They protect both the mother and the baby. Tdap is recommended in the third trimester.

During pregnancy, your body naturally produces a significant amount of progesterone - a hormone vital for fostering a healthy pregnancy and the development of your baby. This hormone plays an integral role in maintaining the uterine lining, preventing uterine contractions, and supporting other aspects of pregnancy.

In certain instances, especially for women with a history of miscarriages, supplementing with progesterone during the early stages of pregnancy may be beneficial. However, routine monitoring of progesterone levels in early pregnancy is not typically recommended, given there isn't a definitive threshold above which the risk of miscarriage decreases.

If your MFC physician determines that additional progesterone could be beneficial, we provide convenient access to vaginal progesterone suppositories, which are often used for this purpose.

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that implants and grows outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies occur in approximately 1 in 100 pregnancies. It is important to diagnose and treat an ectopic pregnancy in a timely manner so as to avoid further complications such as rupture of the fallopian tube.  Signs and symptoms of an ectopic include abnormally increasing hCG levels, vaginal bleeding (in varying amounts), sudden lower abdominal pain, or pelvic pain. We confirm the existence of an ectopic by ultrasound.

Opting for prenatal testing is a highly personal choice, influenced by several factors like your age, family history, personal and cultural beliefs, and whether you're expecting multiple babies. At Markham Fertility Center, our experienced genetic counselors are readily available to guide you through the myriad of genetic testing options.

We offer a comprehensive webinar for all patients to help you understand the various prenatal testing options at your disposal. This session aims to elaborate on the benefits, risks, and implications of the different tests, equipping you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision.

While we commonly endorse prenatal testing as a component of a comprehensive pregnancy care plan, we firmly believe that the final decision resides with you. Regardless of your decision, we will provide respectful, supportive, and personalized care tailored to your unique needs.

All the monitoring appointments, ultrasounds, and visits with your care team are covered by OHIP. Some of the extra costs you might anticipate are the cost of progesterone suppositories if you need them. Some prenatal testing options are not covered by OHIP.